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BoyJeenyus · 10-04-2022, 09:31 AM

The axles on my 1986 32' Excella are shot. I emailed both Inland and Colin Hyde about replacements and have yet to hear back from either. I'm not far from Atlanta and happy to drive a few hours to pick up new ones or have them shipped. What's my best bet for replacement axles these days? Lots of threads on this, but most are older.
THANKS!
Stephen

crispyboy · 10-04-2022, 12:03 PM

Colin Hyde can be tough to get a hold of so use patience if you want to purchase through him.

Another option which I have used is by finding a Dexter axle dealer and working through them.
If this is a DIY job you can double check the tag on the side of the trailer which should give you the GAWR for the trailer. You probably have 4000 lb axles. You would order a #11 axle, 12" brakes, 5200 lb class derated to 4000 lb. 22 degree down angle with shock brackets installed. You may also want consider a lift kit to get the trailer a little higher which helps with dragging the rear of the trailer.
Consider removing one axle off, take it to the dealer and let them measure it so if there is a mistake in the manufacturing the dealer is responsible.

Hittenstiehl · 10-04-2022, 12:19 PM

Colin Hyde is your man, as said his life can get busy as he is not just an axle only man.

Inland while they may still have the contacts or product have been very poor on customer service last couple of years since the business changed ownership.

Jcondon · 10-04-2022, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoyJeenyus

The axles on my 1986 32' Excella are shot. I emailed both Inland and Colin Hyde about replacements and have yet to hear back from either. I'm not far from Atlanta and happy to drive a few hours to pick up new ones or have them shipped. What's my best bet for replacement axles these days? Lots of threads on this, but most are older.
THANKS!
Stephen

In Georgia I would go with Redneck Trailer Supply which is owned by Dexter and it is their retail wing. If you can read the serial number that is all you need to order replacements then you can modify from there. I would not get Never Lube bearings. Stick with conventional or Easy Lube. I can assist with the specs if needed.

Dingo Girl · 10-04-2022, 03:34 PM

Barbara (I think that is her name) at Colin Hydes' place does the axle & lift kit ordering.
She is sharp!
It took a week for me to hear back from her. Then got the lift kit in another week.
I emailed rather than calling them.

BoyJeenyus · 10-04-2022, 05:42 PM

Thanks for all the beta everyone. I'll give Redneck Trailer Supply/Dexter a call in the morning. Unfortunately there's no longer a label tag or any visible SN stamped into either axle (they're probably the original ones and very rusty). I'll see how the call goes and report back.
Stephen

Fungus · 10-04-2022, 05:51 PM

Dexter assembly plant is at Monticello, GA...about two hours SE of Atlanta but no retailing there.

Jcondon · 10-04-2022, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoyJeenyus

Thanks for all the beta everyone. I'll give Redneck Trailer Supply/Dexter a call in the morning. Unfortunately there's no longer a label tag or any visible SN stamped into either axle (they're probably the original ones and very rusty). I'll see how the call goes and report back.
Stephen

I have a video that shows how to measure your axles and fill out the order form. It’s posted on Airstream Restoration on Facebook. You can search easily or you can email me and I can send it direct. Even if I spec it for you right here you still need to confirm the measurements.

BoyJeenyus · 10-04-2022, 08:00 PM

Thanks a lot for all the beta. Are you talking about the Airstream Restoration group? If so, I just joined. I'd love to see your video. Would your guess on my axles match crispyboy's suggestions above? The GAWR does list as 4,000 lbs for all axles on my info badge.

Thanks again for all the info here everyone!
Stephen

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jcondon

I have a video that shows how to measure your axles and fill out the order form. It’s posted on Airstream Restoration on Facebook. You can search easily or you can email me and I can send it direct. Even if I spec it for you right here you still need to confirm the measurements.

Hittenstiehl · 10-04-2022, 10:05 PM

The serial number on the trailer not the axles.

Jcondon · 10-05-2022, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoyJeenyus

Thanks a lot for all the beta. Are you talking about the Airstream Restoration group? If so, I just joined. I'd love to see your video. Would your guess on my axles match crispyboy's suggestions above? The GAWR does list as 4,000 lbs for all axles on my info badge.

Thanks again for all the info here everyone!
Stephen

The 86 Excella 32 is listed at 6440 dry weight with a 840 pound tounge weight so the axles are sharing around 5600 dry weight. I normally size dual axles for 75% of dry weight on each axle. 4000# would be minimum I would probably go with 4200 pound rating. If your trailer has been modified than I suggest weighing the actual trailer and then using that weight to size your axles. Anything else is an estimate. It’s not good to grossly oversize neither.

Jcondon · 10-05-2022, 10:06 AM

Since you can not read the serial number on the axle measure the square tube size. A #11 Dexter starts at 3500 pounds and has a tube size of 3” Square. You can order it with 12 x 2” brakes. A #10 Dexter maxes out at 4000 pounds and has a tube size of 2 5/8”..You can only get 10 x 2.25” brakes which is enough for the rated weight. If you choose the lightly loaded #11 then I would order it Half Cambered. This will correct the alignment. I hope this info helps.

BoyJeenyus · 10-05-2022, 04:44 PM

OK! I heard back from Barbara at Colin Hyde. I'm going to order from them. She knew exactly what I needed with the GAWR for each axle. Went with 33 degree angle, with EZ lube bearings. Should be great. Price quoted was $1850 for both plus $250-300 shipping. Hoping to get the order officially in as soon as I get the quote/invoice email.
Stephen

Jcondon · 10-05-2022, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoyJeenyus

OK! I heard back from Barbara at Colin Hyde. I'm going to order from them. She knew exactly what I needed with the GAWR for each axle. Went with 33 degree angle, with EZ lube bearings. Should be great. Price quoted was $1850 for both plus $250-300 shipping. Hoping to get the order officially in as soon as I get the quote/invoice email.
Stephen

That is a reasonable price.

BoyJeenyus · 10-05-2022, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jcondon

That is a reasonable price.

I thought so too. Likely could have ended up a little cheaper at Redneck/Dexter, but I likely would have had to jack it up, pull the wheels and do a lot of measuring to make sure that I got exactly what I needed. Plus Colin Hyde's ones will have the shock tab welded and everything else should work great. Happy! I'll post up a product label photo for these axles once I get them for anyone else on here.

Stephen

**richard5933** · 10-05-2022, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jcondon

Since you can not read the serial number on the axle measure the square tube size. A #11 Dexter starts at 3500 pounds and has a tube size of 3” Square. You can order it with 12 x 2” brakes. A #10 Dexter maxes out at 4000 pounds and has a tube size of 2 5/8”..You can only get 10 x 2.25” brakes which is enough for the rated weight. If you choose the lightly loaded #11 then I would order it Half Cambered. This will correct the alignment. I hope this info helps.

Won't the tube size be different on the older (non-Dexter) axles than the ones that will replace them? I seem to remember that having to enlarge the notch in the frame for the axle was common because of this, so measuring the existing tube might not work. Or am I dis-remembering this?

I know that the OP has this figured out and ordered axles, but thought this might be helpful for someone down the line.

**Action** · 10-05-2022, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jcondon

The 86 Excella 32 is listed at 6440 dry weight with a 840 pound tounge weight so the axles are sharing around 5600 dry weight.

I would have used a max loaded weight.
The three tanks on that trailer are likely greater than 100 gallons.
A gallon of water weighs in at 8.33 pounds.
100 gallons x 8.33 is at least 833 pounds on the rare event in towing with nearly full tanks.

Axle capacity is not an area to cut short. Buying set of axles that can handle a 4 ton load can be reduced in tire pressure. Not much one can do with a tire set that handles 6000 pounds once purchased. In addition, many over 30 footers have unequal loading on tire position. The total load may be 8000 pounds. However, the tires rarely share equal loading. Two tires can be at 2000 pounds. One is at 1800 pounds and the fourth is at 2200 pounds. It is the 2200 loading that the tires need to handle. Plus a 10 to 15 percent margin!

Action

Jcondon · 10-05-2022, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Action

I would have used a max loaded weight.
The three tanks on that trailer are likely greater than 100 gallons.
A gallon of water weighs in at 8.33 pounds.
100 gallons x 8.33 is at least 833 pounds on the rare event in towing with nearly full tanks.

Tire capacity is not an area to cut short. Buying set of tires that can handle a 4 ton load can be reduced in tire pressure. Not much one can do with a tire set that handles 6000 pounds once purchased. In addition, many over 30 footers have unequal loading on tire position. The total load may be 8000 pounds. However, the tires rarely share equal loading. Two tires can be at 2000 pounds. One is at 1800 pounds and the fourth is at 2200 pounds. It is the 2200 loading that the tires need to handle. Plus a 10 to 15 percent margin!

Action

I recommended two axles at 4200 pounds each. This is 8400 pounds on the axles. Some of the trailer weight is on the tongue. Probably 1000 pounds at max load. The best way os to load it and weigh the axles only. 4200 is plenty. Maybe too much if original? We don’t have enough info.

Jcondon · 10-05-2022, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard5933

Won't the tube size be different on the older (non-Dexter) axles than the ones that will replace them? I seem to remember that having to enlarge the notch in the frame for the axle was common because of this, so measuring the existing tube might not work. Or am I dis-remembering this?

I know that the OP has this figured out and ordered axles, but thought this might be helpful for someone down the line.

Maybe? That is why I recommended measuring the existing axle. I don’t like cutting the slot wider unless absolutely necessary to ncrease capacity. My point was to make the OP aware they may have to cut the slot. If his existing tube is 3” square a #11 will slip right in. If it is 2 5/8” then cutting will be needed if a #11 is ordered. A #10 will slip right in. Colin will get him a 11 either way to get the 12” brakes. I am only trying to educate the OP on options.

BoyJeenyus · 10-05-2022, 08:46 PM

Thanks for all the beta everyone. I'll update once I get the new ones and go to install them. I'm aware that I might have to enlarge the opening for the new axles, but I've very comfortable with an angle grinder, so not stressed about it. I'll post once things arrive and I get them installed.
Stephen